Teach Out - Article Summaries

Privilege, Power, and Difference

        Allen Johnson

      Allan Johnson’s “Privilege, Power and Difference” talks about the inequalities in our society that aren't just due to individual bias but are deeply rooted in our society. These deeply rooted ideals that are ingrained into our society through the larger structures in place in our culture grant unearned advantages or privileges to the dominant social group that exists in our culture. The rules, the privileges, or an easier path given to some groups based on race, gender, or wealth (a few examples) make it easier for some but unfairly harder for others. Johnson describes how it is often invisible to those who benefit from it. The larger idea is that Johnson describes how society uses difference to exclude or reward individuals. Johnson sends out a call to action, encouraging individuals, especially those with privilege, to work towards pulling apart those deeply rooted systems and larger structures that have been in place, which is the path to fostering true equality and justice. Understanding this hidden structure is the first step to creating an inclusive and equitable world for all. Privilege, power, and difference, according to Johnson, shouldn’t be viewed as an individual's problem but rather a societal issue. It affects all of us. Johnson points out that privilege opens doors for those people who have it, while oppression slams them shut for those who do not. This is the societal issue that we collectively need to be part of the change and not part of the problem. It is important to explain this concept to a person who is unaware of the hidden rules of society that create different experiences and opportunities, as they might not see the bigger picture as it relates to society and the individual.

Quotes / Ideas to discuss:

“All of us are part of the problem. But we can make ourselves part of the solution”. 

“The hard and simple truth is that the we that’s in trouble is all of us-not just the straight, white, middle and upper class males - and it will take all of at least most of us, to get us out of it”.

Explore the Diversity wheel: Get a sense of who you are and the privileges you have or do not.

 “Just as privilege tends to open doors of opportunity, oppressions tend to slam them shut”.

Provide analogies to see the bigger picture of the “hidden rules & advantages”. 

The Silenced Dialogue

Lisa Delpit

      Schools and the education system operate in a “culture of power” that is often unnoticed by those who already have the “codes” or the power. There is a communication gap or power imbalance between the educators who are usually white and the students and the community ( non-white). Lisa Delpit highlights the critical issue of power imbalances and cultural misunderstandings in education, particularly for those children who come from marginalized backgrounds. Delpit argues that traditional teaching methods, even if well-intentioned, disadvantage children from diverse backgrounds. The rules or “codes of power”, the unspoken rules and expectations, need to be explicitly taught to succeed and acquire power in mainstream classrooms and society. Educators from the dominant background do not recognize their own power and how it shapes their classroom, which leads to the “silenced dialogue”. The voices that are from non white and lower-income students and their communities are often overlooked or “dismissed”. Delpit argues that these “rules “ or “codes of power” must be explicitly taught to students from diverse backgrounds, not as a replacement for their own culture but rather as a means to empower themselves, provide a voice, and promote student agency and ultimately access to opportunities. 

Quotes / Ideas to discuss:

“Those with power are frequently least aware of - or least willing to acknowledge - its existence. Those with power are often most aware of its existence”. 

Review S.C.W.A.A.M.P.  

“ We must understand that if we are to successfully educate all of our children, we must work to have honest dialogues about the differences that exist between us and our students, and between our students and the power that we transmit”. 

*** I will most likely reference other texts, including but not limited to the DEI article and executive orders during this Teach Out.